September 2011 - Page 2 of 5 - Modern Distribution Management

September 2011

Download This Issue in pdf: Sept. 25, 2011

This is the pdf of this issue of Modern Distribution Management. Apply the full $34.95 pay-per-view cost of this issue toward an annual subscription, which includes two issues a month plus access to more than eight years of online archives and market data. Call 1-888-742-5060 or email info@mdm.com to subscribe. Subscribers log-in to download this issue.

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What Does ‘Partnership’ Really Mean?

This is an exclusive summary of the latest episode of the MDM Executive Briefing webcast series, available on-demand at www.mdm.com/executivebriefing. In this episode, Bob Conti of The Alexander Group and Sales Apex defines partnership, the importance of leveraging strengths and understanding your partner’s motivations, and one tool channel partners can use to uncover profitability opportunities.

The word “partnership” may be one of the most overused terms these days when referencing a relationship between a manufacturer and distributor. Building a true partnership was the subject of the September MDM Executive Briefing webcast episode.

In the program, Bob Conti of The Alexander Group and Sales Apex, says that building a partnership is a big task and recommends distributors and manufacturers start small, working with a limited number of …

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Emerging Technologies Series: Distributors Embrace Mobile Technology

This is the third article in MDM’s Emerging Technologies Series. This article examines the growing role of mobile technologies in how distributors do business.

Full Emerging Technologies Series is available here.

Over the past two years, a significant shift has taken place in technology, away from the traditional home- or office-based tools to technology that offers portability and accessibility. And while the development of new technologies often takes place at the speed of light, the adoption rate of mobile technologies such as smartphones and tablets has risen at a nearly unheard-of pace.

Even in industries such as wholesale distribution where investment in the newest technologies is often approached conservatively, mobile devices have already …

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Commentary: Thinking Differently About Consolidation

In a blog I wrote recently at mdm.com/blogs about HD Supply’s sale of its HVAC/Plumbing business to Hajoca, I talked about whether one company will ever be able to consolidate across many different industrial distribution sectors. Over the past half decade, HD Supply made the strongest run to consolidate the diverse sectors that define industrial distribution as it grew revenues past $10 billion.

But if you consider the total size of all the MRO sectors it penetrated …

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Associations Compete for Mind Share

Associations are increasingly focused on ensuring relevance in an ever-changing industry landscape marked by an aging workforce, consolidation and more groups than ever vying for members’ time. This article looks at how associations across distribution sectors are tackling the challenge to grow value by adding and refining services that cater to member needs.

During an annual association meeting earlier this year, an attendee wondered on Twitter whether that association could “survive as more than a social club.” It’s a question of shifting value and one that all associations today have to answer.

Networking remains a key selling point of associations, according to David Gordon, president of Channel Marketing Group. But …

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